Argumentative Essay: Exploring Themes in Long Way Down

Read the novel Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Choose ONE of the prompts below and write a well-organized argumentative essay. Your essay should clearly state your claim, provide specific evidence from the novel, and address counterarguments when appropriate. Be sure to use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Review the rubric provided to understand how your essay will be assessed. Manage your time carefully to plan, write, revise, and edit your response.

Choose ONE of the following prompts and respond with a detailed argumentative essay. Use evidence from Long Way Down to support your position.

In Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds explores the idea of revenge through Will’s plan to kill Riggs. Write an argumentative essay in which you take a clear position on whether Will’s plan represents justice or simply continues the cycle of violence. Use specific evidence from the novel to support your answer.

In Long Way Down, each ghost that visits Will in the elevator reveals an important lesson about life, death, and the consequences of following “The Rules.” Write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on which ghost has the greatest impact on Will’s final decision. Use specific evidence from the novel to support your answer.

In Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds introduces “The Rules” that young men in Will’s neighborhood are expected to follow. Write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether these rules help young men stay strong or hurt them by preventing them from expressing emotions. Use specific evidence from the novel to support your answer.